Roy Keane has backtracked on his recent criticism about Arsenal and instead launched an attack on Liverpool’s ‘schoolboys’ during their clash on Sunday.
The Gunners took the lead through Bukayo Saka’s excellent solo goal before Virgil van Dijk headed the Reds level from a corner.
But the hosts restored their advantage after capitalising on disorganisation at the back as Mikel Merino headed home from a Declan Rice free-kick to make it 2-1 before the interval.
Former Manchester United footballer Keane, known for his tough-tackling ways in his playing days and no-nonsense views as a pundit, had previously questioned the mentality of Arsenal.
But speaking during Sky Sports’ half-time analysis, the Irishman was complimentary about how they carved apart the Liverpool defence with Merino’s goal.
“Unbelievable. What a delivery. You know what, what a delivery,” Keane said. “Liverpool, you can be critical for giving away a daft free-kick but what a delivery.
“I know [it’s tight] with the offside, but that delivery is absolutely fantastic, amazing.”
His fellow pundit, Reds hero Jamie Carragher, expressed his disappointment with how Liverpool defended and compared their performance to “schoolboys” in the opening 45 minutes.
“It’s a brilliant goal but Liverpool have been like schoolboys in that first half, giving fouls away in that area. They have allowed Declan Rice to get his range about four times on that side,” Carragher said.
“They have a problem on this side. They got there but Liverpool have got to sort something out on the left, bring Gomez on at left-back or you bring Szoboszlai or you bring Curtis Jones over on this side. Mac Allister on a yellow on this side as well, they have got a big problem.”
Keane appeared to agree with Carragher’s opinion and blamed Arne Slot’s side for giving away needless set-pieces, an area where Arsenal tend to thrive under their coach Nicolas Jover.
“Football intelligence, Liverpool have lacked it,” Keane added. “A lot of free-kicks, daft free-kicks, you are going to give fouls away but they are so sloppy and they do lack that bit of intensity. Arsenal are in front and deservedly so.”
It represents a huge shift from how Keane had previously reacted when Arsenal drew 2-2 against Manchester City in September. Back then, the Gunners were accused of having a ‘small club mentality’, while Keane branded Arteta a ‘dinosaur’ for his tactics.
But it seems the Spaniard is back in his good books after outwitting Slot at the Emirates.
